Toilet Refill Tube Connector 2015/16

ABSTRACT

The invention is a connection between a toilet refill tube and an overflow pipe enabling placement of a device onto the toilet overflow pipe. 
     A toilet system requires water to flow into the bowl as the tank is being refilled. A small tube is used to direct water from the fill valve with the outlet end being connected to the top of the overflow pipe, allowing water to flow into the overflow pipe and run into the toilet bowl whilst the toilet tank is being filled. 
     When an odor extraction means is fitted to a toilet overflow pipe, the top portion of the overflow pipe is encapsulated, thus blocking refill tube access to the overflow pipe. 
     The invention relates to a connection, on an odor extraction means, of suitable design and placement, to receive and secure the outlet end of the refill tube and direct water into the overflow pipe.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to toilet refill tube connection to overflow/vent pipe and methods. In particular, the invention relates to connection to odor removal apparatus and methods for removing gases which include undesirable odors from the vicinity of a toilet or lavatory bowl. Also the relative ease of installation, particularly in retrofit situations, and servicing of such equipment. This invention includes aspects that contribute reliable connection to overflow/vent pipe via a vacuum chamber that encapsulates the overflow/vent pipe. However, the invention is not limited to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With symphonic flush type toilet bowls, water is required to be added to the bowl whilst the tank is in refill tube mode and so a tube directs water from the fill valve to the overflow/vent pipe for the purpose of adding water to the bowl. The known method of adding water to the bowl uses a small tube connected to the refill tube valve and is attached to the top of the overflow/vent pipe. Also known methods of toilet odor removal where an extraction means with a vacuum chamber or the like which is mounted on the overflow/vent pipe within the toilet tank, the refill tube tube must enter from the base of the vacuum chamber of the extraction means and be routed up the inside of the vacuum chamber to the top of the overflow/vent pipe where it will be attached or otherwise allowing water to enter the overflow/vent pipe providing proper toilet function including the required water level in the bowl for symphonic flush and creating a seal (trap) within the bowl stopping sewage odor entering a room through the toilet. This method can be problematic and requires a particular understanding when installing the odor extraction device. The known methods of odour extraction are neither positive, quick or easy to install, or service. Known methods of fitting a refill tube tube in conjunction with an odor removal extraction means offers risk and installation difficulties requiring trained or otherwise qualified person with some understanding of the toilet equipment to avoid the risk of toilet failure. If the refill tube water supply to the overflow/vent pipe is not secure or correct it may cause the toilet to malfunction creating health and safety issues.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a superior, easier and more reliable water connection method from the refill tube valve nipple to the overflow/vent pipe when a vacuum chamber of some kind including an odour removal device and/or methods is placed over the overflow/vent pipe going at least some way toward overcoming the foregoing disadvantages of other known methods, or will at least provide an easy to install and service useful option aiding in health, hygiene, air quality and carbon foot print improvements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A purpose made refill tube connector will be in fluid connection with the vacuum chamber which is in fluid connection with the overflow/vent pipe which is in gaseous connection with the extraction means.

The extraction means housing/s are designed for the attachment of the extraction means to some part of the toilet such as the overflow/vent pipe for example. The housing and/or extraction means is thereby in gaseous connection with the bowl in order to create a pressure drop within the bowl and thereby draw air from the bathroom through the toilet bowl to the extraction means. The vacuum chamber when used for odor extraction typically has the lower edge immersed into the water of a toilet tank allowing an extraction means to create a vacuum or partial vacuum to induce an air flow from the toilet bowl to the extraction means.

As the refill tube tube is typically taken in a reasonably direct route from the refill tube valve to the overflow/vent pipe (normally part of the flush valve), the addition of an extraction means vacuum chamber will interfere with the refill tube tube pathway and so it must be rerouted down below water lever, under the lower edge of the vacuum chamber, back up to the top of the overflow/vent pipe and with a U bend or some such method cause the water from the refill tube valve to enter the overflow/vent pipe thus charging the bowl trap (adding water to the toilet bowl) ensuring proper toilet function and operation. The refill tube tube would not normally be long enough to be rerouted in this way and would require replacing or otherwise extending the tube length.

This invention allows for the direct connection of the refill tube tube to the vacuum chamber by having a refill tube connector (nipple, socket or other) on the vacuum chamber or such like that is in fluid connection with the overflow/vent pipe. The connection provides a secure and simple fluid link/connection between the fill valve and overflow pipe without compromising the effective operation or function of either the toilet system or the odor extraction means.

The method allows an easy way to maintain the normal toilet function when a chamber such as the vacuum chamber of a toilet odor extraction means is fitted to a toilet tank and so requires minimal training to connect the refill tube tube to the extraction means in place of to the overflow/vent pipe as would be the case with a standard toilet tank.

Accordingly, in one respect, the invention is a method which allows for the supply of water from the fill valve to the overflow/vent pipe in the presence of a odor extraction means vacuum chamber of some sort that requires some level of vacuum within the vacuum chamber and or overflow pipe for effective odor removal without compromising toilet functions

having a bowl

a flushing water way within the bowl

a fluid connection between the bowl and the flush valve

a water way and or a flush valve within the tank

an overflow/vent pipe being in gaseous connection with the bowl or flush valve

an extraction means that is in gaseous connection with the overflow/vent pipe

being the gaseous passageway between the bowl the tank and the extraction means

a refill tube connector providing a fluid connection of the refill tube tube from the atmospheric side of the vacuum chamber to the negative pressure side of the vacuum chamber providing a waterway on the inside of the vacuum chamber directing water

from the refill tube to the overflow/vent pipe being in fluid communication with the bowl.

Preferably the connection will link the refill tube on the outside of the vacuum chamber to the overflow/vent pipe on the inside of the vacuum chamber.

Preferably there is a tube or similar connecting the fill valve to the refill tube connector

Preferably the refill tube connector is connected to the vacuum chamber or passes through the vacuum chamber

Preferably the refill tube connector directs water into the overflow/vent pipe

Preferably the refill tube connector is part of or adequately fastened to the vacuum chamber

Preferably the seal between the refill tube connector and the vacuum chamber is adequate to maintain sufficient vacuum within the vacuum chamber so as to allow the odor extraction means to perform at an adequate and acceptable level

Preferably the refill tube connector allows for a fast and secure refill tube connection

Preferably the refill tube connector has a barb type, a compression or similar connection that allows for a secure refill tube connection

Preferably the refill tube connector passes through the vacuum chamber

Preferably the refill tube connector is at a suitable level or position for directing water into the overflow/vent pipe

Preferably the refill tube connector is near the top or above the top of overflow/vent pipe

Preferably the refill tube connector can readily be in fluid communication with the fill valve

Preferably the overflow/vent pipe is in fluid communication/connection with the refill tube connector

Preferably the refill tube connector does not adversely effect any toilet operational function

Preferably the refill tube connector does not adversely affect any odor extraction means function or effect

Preferably the connection can utilize the existing refill tube

Preferably the invention will allow an easier and simpler method of conveying water from the fill valve to the overflow/vent pipe in the presents of a device or vacuum chamber such as a vacuum chamber or inlet shroud as in the case with an odor extraction means where odor is drawn from the bowl through the overflow/vent pipe

Preferably the connection is an integral part of the vacuum chamber

Preferably the refill tube connector will include an inlet

Being an attachment or part of the vacuum chamber

Preferably the connection will include an outlet

Preferably the outlet is above or within the overflow/vent pipe

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention consists of the forgoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which;

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevation of a typical toilet tank (A) including fill valve (C) providing flushing water to the tank, a flush valve (E) that controls toilet bowl flushing, an overflow/vent pipe (D) that is normally part of the flush valve, and a refill tube (F) that delivers water into the overflow/vent pipe directly from the fill valve as the fill valve is filling the tank to a preset water level (B). The refill tube is often attached in some way to the top of the overflow/vent pipe or a cap that is secured to or part of the overflow/vent pipe.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation in partial cross section of a practical implementation of the invention showing an extraction means (I) attached to or mounted on or mounted over the overflow/vent pipe (D). It is clearly shown how the base of the extraction means vacuum chamber (H) which extends below the water level (B) and the refill tube (F) inlet is connected to the refill tube valve nipple (L) and refill tube outlet is connected to the vacuum chamber refill tube connector (J).

FIG. 3 is a front view in partial cross section of the vacuum chamber (H) the refill tube connector (J) that directs water into overflow/vent pipe (D) with typical water level (B) set below the top of the overflow/vent pipe providing some freeboard

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of one possible alternative arrangement showing the extraction means (I), the vacuum chamber (H) of the odor extraction means mounted onto the overflow/vent pipe (D), the refill tube connector (I) positioned to allow water to flow into the overflow/vent pipe from the fill valve (C) through the vacuum chamber of the extraction means

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the drawing in FIG. 4 showing an overflow/vent pipe (D) supporting the vacuum chamber (H) which is connected to the odor extraction means (I) with the refill tube connector (J) nipple to the side of the vacuum chamber (H)

FIG. 6 is a cross section drawing showing the refill tube connection (J) positioned to allow water to flow into the overflow/vent pipe (D) that is within the vacuum chamber (H) of the extraction means (I)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a toilet or lavatory tank is shown generally referenced (A) having a fill valve (C), water level (B), flush valve (E), overflow/vent pipe (D), a refill tube (F). As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, typical tank trim includes a fill valve (C) and a flush valve (E) although there are a number of variations in shape and design but FIG. 1 is typical of the method of adding water to the bowl for a flush.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the present invention involves aiding the manufacture and or installation of an odor extraction device by toilet manufacturers, trades people, handymen and the like so that the flow of water (for the purpose of recharging the bowl trap) to the overflow/vent pipe from the fill valve is not compromised or adversely effected. The fill valve (C) has a refill tube (F) that is connected to the invention refill tube connector (J), which is either attached to or part of vacuum chamber (H) which is either connected to or part of the odor extraction means (I) which is in gaseous connection with the overflow/vent pipe. Overflow/vent pipe (D) has an inlet (G) which is above water level (B). Refill tube connector (J) is above the overflow inlet (G). Vacuum chamber (H) has the lower portion or inlet (K) beneath the water surface when the tank is at normal full level, creating a seal with the water so that any vacuum produced by the odor extraction means will not be lost from the vacuum chamber (H) at that point. These characteristics are also highly important to reduce any impact on odor extraction performance and or toilet functions and abilities particularly flushing, tank and bowl refill tube performance.

In FIG. 3, shows a front view in partial cross section where it can be seen how the refill tube connector (J) is attached to or part of the vacuum chamber (H) above water level (B), directing water from the fill valve (C) via the refill tube (F), into the overflow pipe (D).

FIG. 4 shows the extraction means (I) from a side view that is either attached or part of the vacuum chamber (H). The vacuum chamber (H) has been fitted onto the overflow tube (D). The refill tube connector (J) as shown here, shows just one method of securing the refill tube (F) as in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the extraction means (I) attached to or part of vacuum chamber (H). The refill tube connector (J) in this option is above the overflow pipe (D) on the left but could be lower down the vacuum chamber (H) or come into the vacuum chamber (H) at any other suitable point.

FIG. 6 is a front view in partial cross section showing how the overflow pipe (D) is inserted into the vacuum chamber (H) and how the refill tube connector (J) is above the overflow/vent pipe inlet (G). Water level (B) is below overflow inlet (G) and above vacuum chamber water inlet (K) as previously shown in FIG. 2

Again the negative air pressure within the vacuum chamber (H) and overflow pipe (D) draws gases from the bowl therefore, from the foregoing, it will be seen that a very effective and efficient method of connecting a refill tube in the presence of a device such as an odor removal means is achievable with this invention making it a sure and safe connection method for such devices.

This invention allows for an alternative to current methods where the refill tube (F) must be routed down into the water (B), under the bottom edge (K) of the vacuum chamber (H), back up the inside of the vacuum chamber (H) and into the top of or above the overflow/vent pipe inlet (G). This is a far easier and secure installation method for any such device. The connection between refill tube (F) and refill tube connector (J) is always visible where as the joint security of the existing method may be compromised and not easily seen or noticed particularly during a retro-fit situation. 

What we claim is:
 1. An odor removal device for a toilet the odor removal device having a vacuum chamber the odor removal device vacuum chamber being in gaseous communication with the overflow/vent pipe the vacuum chamber having a refill tube connector the refill tube being in fluid communication with the refill tube connector the refill tube being in fluid communication with the fill valve the refill tube connector being in fluid communication with the overflow/vent pipe the toilet having a tank water way for flushing water to flow from the tank to the bowl the tank having a fill valve the tank having a flush valve the flush valve or tank having an overflow/vent pipe the fill valve having a refill tube the refill tube supplying water to the overflow/vent pipe a fluid connection from the fill valve to the overflow pipe when the fill valve is allowing water to refill the tank
 2. An odor removal apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gases extraction means comprises a vacuum chamber that has a refill tube connector for connection of the refill tube from the fill valve supplying water to that refill tube connector which directs water into the overflow pipe, therefore allowing easy and sure connection of the refill tube to the refill tube connector for correct toilet function.
 3. A vacuum chamber as claimed in claim 1, that provides a gaseous communication between the extraction means and the overflow/vent pipe, whereas the vacuum chamber interrupts the normal path of the refill tube. A refill tube connector as claimed in claim 1 provides a fluid communication between the fill valve and the overflow/vent pipe.
 4. The refill tube connector as claimed in claim 1, is either connected to, or part of the vacuum chamber.
 5. The refill tube connector as claimed in claim 4, will be positioned in the vacuum chamber at a point that allows suitable fluid communication from the fill valve to the overflow/vent pipe for suitable toilet function and ease of vacuum chamber manufacture and or extraction means installation.
 6. The refill tube connector as claimed in claim 4, can pass through the vacuum chamber at any point.
 7. The refill tube connector is positioned through the wall of the vacuum chamber at a point that it may easily direct water from the fill valve into the overflow/vent pipe.
 8. The refill tube connector as claimed in claim 7, is designed to terminate within the vacuum chamber at a point above or within the overflow/vent pipe ensuring a fail safe water tight method of placement and alignment to the overflow/vent pipe so that water goes down the overflow/vent pipe for correct toilet function.
 9. The refill tube connector as claimed in claim 2, has a barb type, swage, ribs or swelling in it's diameter to assist in retaining the refill tube for useful and reliable purpose.
 10. The refill tube connector is either part of the vacuum chamber or a separate part that is clipped, glued, welded or otherwise attached.
 11. As described in claims above, this invention is in at least going some way to reduce the risk of failure of alternative methods with regard to joints and alignment of the refill tube connector above or into the overflow/vent pipe. 